Re: Poll: How realistic a goal do you feel is the "aikido" notion of defending yourself while minimizing or negating damage done to your attacker?

I voted 'somewhat'.

In general, Aikido attracts the very people it aims to create - those who want to solve conflicts peacefully. But the first goal they need to set is to make the stuff they learn work for them. Accordingly, they find themselves facing the contradiction of having to face the 'war' of it for a long time before achieving something resembling 'peace.' Avoiding is all well and good, but when push comes to shove, simply, you cannot give mercy unless you have the ability to destroy.